Our History

The land where present-day Badger Creek Ranch sits has a rich, often tumultuous human history dating back thousands of years. Thick with elk, pronghorn, sheep, and bison, the hills surrounding Badger Creek served as a prime hunting ground for the Ute Indian tribes, and at times the Apache and Comanche who had settlements in the area in the 1700s. The Spanish were the first non-natives to enter the region, and the Bautista de Anza expedition passed through the land that is now Badger Creek Ranch in 1779, camping at a site they called the “Lost Hills.” Trappers followed—even the notorious frontiersman Kit Carson trapped beaver on Badger Creek in the winter of 1830.

Early Days of Ranching

Ranching began in the region in the 1860s supported by the growing demand for meat, as the gold rush of that period brought a flood of settlers into the region whose hunting all but eliminated the wild game that roamed the area. The founders of the historic IM Ranch—one of the first in the area and part of present-day Badger Creek Ranch—drove longhorn cattle to the ranch in herds from West Texas and southeastern New Mexico along the historic Goodnight-Loving trail. This was the period of the open range - and over-grazing - and by 1883 the IM Ranch laid claim to several thousand head. Roundups on what is Badger Creek Ranch today were a major cooperative and social event among the ranching community.

Damage from overgrazing and other environmental, social and economic forces of the early 20th century were not kind to large scale open-range ranching, leading to a shift towards the more modest, sustainable, restorative ranching practices that are prevalent in the region today.

Next Generation of Land Stewards

Badger Creek Ranch Community sponsors the next generation of land stewards at Badger Creek Ranch by providing stipends and scholarships for internship and apprentice programs. As the current generation of ranchers and farmers ages, there is a growing gap in the agricultural workforce. Many new agrarians come to this work with a passion for the land but little experience in agriculture. Badger Creek Ranch Community partners with Badger Creek Ranch to mentor this next generation through practical experience on the land. This program reaches beyond agriculture to include those interested in wildlife, water, forestry and soil, as well as those who connect nature and humans through recreation and outdoor education.

If you’re interested in becoming an intern at Badger Creek Ranch please fill out the form below.

 Workshops and Retreats

Badger Creek Ranch Community along with partners such as The Quivira Coalition and Guidestone Colorado, has sponsored many retreats and workshops at Badger Creek Ranch, including Land Health Workshops, Women’s Retreats, Open Gates and Family Days at the Ranch.

If you’re interested in holding a workshop or retreat at Badger Creek Ranch, please email us.

 Achievements in 2023:

  • Continuing research with cultural experts to further learn the history of the land in order to educate ourselves and our community so that we honor the land’s rich heritage

  • Hosted the Annual Badger Creek Ranch Open Gate Day

  • Hosted an Annual Women’s Retreat

  • Hosted a Shadow Work Retreat for men and women

  • Successfully completed our 2023 Intern Program

Goals for 2024:

  • Host the Annual Badger Creek Ranch Open Gate Days.

  • Host retreats that promote personal growth, healing, and our connection with nature*

  • Offer our annual Land Health workshop in collaboration with the Quivira Coalition.

  • Explore securing a conservation easement for the land.

  • Increase the number of interns accepted into our 2024 Intern Program.

*If you or your organization would like us to host your retreat, please contact us at info@bcrcommunity.org

Want to support us?
Head over to our Membership page